Former commercial or industrial land where legacy contamination may persist.
Total Sites
580K
EPA FRS ACRES
Search Radius
3.1 mi
Per-parcel proximity read
Agency
EPA
EPA FRS ACRES
About This Database
- Formal Name
- Brownfields
- Program
- EPA FRS ACRES
- Maintaining Agency
- EPA
- Sites Tracked
- 580,074
What This Means for Growers
Brownfield sites are former commercial or industrial properties where legacy soil contamination (heavy metals, PAHs, petroleum compounds) may persist. Many brownfield sites have been partially or fully remediated through EPA or state cleanup programs — checking remediation status is an important first step.
The contamination pathway is primarily through direct soil contact. Unlike Superfund sites, brownfields represent a wide spectrum of severity — a former dry cleaner has a very different risk profile than a former gas station. Root crops and leafy greens face the highest risk from residual soil contamination.
Crop Risk Assessment
Root crops
Direct soil contact maximizes exposure to residual heavy metals and PAHs in legacy industrial soil.
Leafy greens
Soil splash and dust deposition contaminate leaf surfaces; metals can also translocate from soil.
Fruiting crops
Lower translocation to fruit, but soil-level contamination can still affect low-growing crops.
Tree fruits
Minimal risk for elevated fruit; deep root systems may bypass surface contamination.
Know Before You Grow — Mitigation Steps
- 1.Check EPA brownfield remediation status — many sites have completed cleanup with institutional controls.
- 2.Use raised beds with imported clean soil and barrier fabric over former commercial/industrial land.
- 3.Test native soil for heavy metals (lead, arsenic, cadmium) and PAHs before growing food crops.
- 4.Former dry cleaners (PCE/TCE) and gas stations (BTEX) have different risk profiles — identify the former use.
- 5.Community gardens on brownfield sites should follow EPA Brownfields-to-Greenfields best practices.
Top States for Brownfields
| State | Sites | Density |
|---|---|---|
| California | 196,551 | 1.26 |
| Minnesota | 29,697 | 0.37 |
| New York | 25,402 | 0.54 |
| Michigan | 24,420 | 0.43 |
| Florida | 24,315 | 0.45 |
| Massachusetts | 23,042 | 2.95 |
| Pennsylvania | 18,597 | 0.42 |
| Louisiana | 18,317 | 0.42 |
| Ohio | 17,537 | 0.43 |
| Illinois | 17,481 | 0.31 |
| Texas | 14,589 | 0.06 |
| Wisconsin | 14,081 | 0.26 |
| Virginia | 9,409 | 0.24 |
| Indiana | 9,020 | 0.25 |
| North Carolina | 8,665 | 0.18 |
| Maryland | 8,190 | 0.84 |
| New Jersey | 7,842 | 1.07 |
| Kansas | 6,349 | 0.08 |
| South Carolina | 6,009 | 0.20 |
| Colorado | 5,999 | 0.06 |
Top Counties for Brownfields
| County | State | Sites | Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles | CA | 50,287 | 12.39 |
| Orange | CA | 18,808 | 23.72 |
| San Diego | CA | 16,228 | 3.85 |
| Santa Clara | CA | 10,632 | 8.23 |
| San Bernardino | CA | 9,939 | 0.50 |
| Alameda | CA | 9,842 | 13.35 |
| Riverside | CA | 8,468 | 1.17 |
| Hennepin | MN | 8,082 | 14.59 |
| Cook | IL | 6,047 | 6.40 |
| Sacramento | CA | 6,013 | 6.23 |
| Middlesex | MA | 5,878 | 7.19 |
| Contra Costa | CA | 5,174 | 7.22 |
| San Mateo | CA | 4,961 | 11.06 |
| Kern | CA | 4,706 | 0.58 |
| Ventura | CA | 4,514 | 2.45 |
| Fresno | CA | 4,394 | 0.74 |
| San Francisco | CA | 4,228 | 90.57 |
| Wayne | MI | 4,192 | 6.85 |
| San Joaquin | CA | 3,827 | 2.75 |
| Ramsey | MN | 3,358 | 22.05 |
Check Your Address for Brownfields
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